Knights keep ruthless form

LETRAN slotman Jomari Sollano (right) thwarts a driving Michael Salado of Arellano in yesterday’s game at Filoil Flying V Arena. ALEXIS CORPUS

LETRAN ran Arellano’s high-octane offense to the ground with another ruthless defensive performance for a 77-68 victory last night that tightened the Knights’ grip of the lead in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Playing with reckless abandon, the Knights took the Chiefs out of their rhythm while drawing a big game from Kevin Racal to streak to their sixth straight victory.

Mark Cruz, who missed the first nine of his 10 tries from three-point range, nailed a huge triple that gave Letran a six-point cushion heading into the final 1:52.

The Chiefs fell to a three-way tie for third after absorbing their second loss in six games.

Earlier, Mapua survived a horrendous second half to post a 109-95 win over Lyceum, while Emilio Aguinaldo College nailed a first win with a 77-71 dumping of San Sebastian.

“It’s getting tougher and tougher,” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo.” I thought Perpetual and San Beda were difficult games, but Arellano gave us a different challenge because they had quick point guards.”

Racal dished out a season-high 24 points in a performance that drew praise from Ayo.

The scores:

First Game
EAC 77—Hamadou 18, Onwubere 13, Munsayac 11, Pascua 8, Mejos 7, Diego 7, Morada 6, Bonleon 5, Estacio 2.
SAN SEBASTIAN 71— Calisaan 19, Ortuoste 17, Costelo 12, Guinto 12, Fabian 7, David 4, Sibal 0, Bragais 0, Santos 0, Pretta 0, Bulanadi 0, Vera 0, Capobres 0, Mercado 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 36-34, 55-50, 77-71

Second Game
MAPUA 109—Oraeme 26, Nimes 24, Biteng 12, Isit 9, Raflores 9, Nieles 7, Serrano 6, Aguirre 6, Que 5, Menina 5, Stevens 0, Layug 0.
LYCEUM 95—Alanes 27, Ayaay 22, Baltazar 14, Nguidjol 8, Lacastesantos 6, Mbida 6, Sunga 3, Soliman 3, Bulawan 3, Gabayni 2, Lugo 1, Malabanan 0, Marata 0, Taladua 0, Elmejrab 0.
Quarters: 34-12, 68-28, 86-63, 109-95

Third Game
LETRAN 77—Racal 24, Nambatac 13, Sollano 12, Cruz 9, Luib 5, Apreku 4, Balanza 4, Publico 4, Quinto 2, Calvo 0.
ARELLANO 68—Nicholls 14, Cadavis 12, Jalalon 10, Holts 10, Enriquez 8, Gumaru 5, Salado 5, Bangga 4, Ongolo-Ongolo 0, Ortega 0, De Guzman 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 42-32, 62-48, 77-68